The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-12
COMMENCEMENT SERVICES
AT THE SOUTHWESTERN PRES.
BYTERIAN UNIVERSITY.
rhe Baccslaureate Sermon By the
ReV T. ID. WitherspOen, d. d.,
OF Louisville, Ky.
lcORREsPoSDExoK or rae iPpEAL.I

western Presbyterian University has
closed most satisfactorily. The
weather was propitious, the exer-
cises throughout interesting, and the
rounding up of the busy years work
most satisfactory. The Sabbath
service was enjoyed by the large con-
gregation assembled in the Presby-
; terrain churches. The Rev. T. D.
Witherspoon, D. D., of Louisville,
KY, delivered an able and eloquent
baccalaureate sermon from John
viii, II, in the morning, and the
Rev. Thomas Cummius, Of Vicks-
burg, Miss, preached a practical
and impressive sermon to the You ng
Mems Christian Association at night,
from Acts xii, 10. His subject
What God has hallowed do not
thou attempt to unhallow." On
Monday night the orations by repre-
sentatives of the literary societies
were delivered in a sharp competl-
ton for the joint medal" The
speakers were six in number The
Washington Irving was represented
by f. d. Daniels, GAINESVILLE, Tenn,
Beauty, Mans Inspiration" r. Y.
Hicks Shreveport, La, The
Growth of Socialism" 4. W. Ford,
Kosciusko, Miss, Alexander Steph-
ems" The Stewart" by W. A.
Nisbet, Jonesboro, Ca, 1.-THE AID.
vancing South" S. b. Kennedy,
Lake Providence, La, Destructive
Influences on our National Char
acter."
j. N. Lyle, New Orleans, La,
Persecution as a Factor in Human
Advancement"
Much enthusiasm was manifested
by the societies and their friends, as
the speakers alternately made their
bow and discussed their chosen
theme. The music gave variety 70
the occasion, and only prepared the
| audience for a closer criticism of
each representative speaker.
Before closing, Chancellor Wad-
del called to the stage Ii. j. Woods,
OF Meridian, Mis-, who received, in
the name of the Stewart Society,""
the medal awarded for the greatest
improvement during the year. 1t
was presented by the Rev. John II.
Boyd, of Winona, Miss.
Harry s. Bunting, now of Clarks-
vile, was also called forward, and
the Rev. DR.. w. X. Marshall, OF
Texas, in the name Of the Washing
ton Irving" presented him with a
similar medal. They were enthusi-
astically cheered on their success.
Tuesday forenoon another interest
ing contest was witnessed by large
audience. The seven" elected by
tie Faculty were now to deliver com
petitive orations for the speakers
medal, viz:
VIM. Caldwell, Senatobia, Miss,
What Shall We Do With Our
Money!"
S. j. Foster, jr., Union Springs,
Ala, THE Necessity for an Ideal
in the Development of Character" "
G. b. Mcleod, White Oak
Springs, Ala, 1.-The BRIDGES"
W. L. Palmer, New Orleans, La,
1.-THE Ages of the Poets"
7. II, Rice, jr., Memphis, Tenn,
Sunsets Prophecy" I'D
Fl. Richardson, Vicksburg, Miss,
"The Mississippi Valley"
p. G. West, La Grange, Ark, "The
American Laborer."
This was personal contest for an
honorable distinction and a costly
medal, and while the competition
was honorable, it developed fully the
power Of each one as a writer and
speaker. Taken as whole, the ora
lions were worthy Of the highest
commentator.
Again, at $50 o'clock pm, the
hall was crowded to hear the ad-
dresses before the Literary Societies
and the Alumni Association. Chan
cellor Waddel first introduced the
Hon. s. M. Shelton, of Vicksburg,
Miss. what Is the True Basis on
Which Rests the Authority of the
State to Enforce the Christian Sab
bath2" was the subject he proposed
to discuss before the Literary So
cieties. The argument was that
Christianity being a part of the COM
mon law Of the land, as recognized
by different States and the courts
this established ny the authority of
eminent jurists both in England and
this country-therefore the State has
right to enforce the Christian Sab
bath, etc.
The Rev. John H, Boyd, of Vino
ma, Miss, was introduced as the ora
tor of the Alumni Association. His
subject was: "A Consideration of the
Moral Condition and Tendencies of
the South" 10 other words, 1.-THE
Moral Side of our New South" 1t
was not merely material resources
that make people great and pros
porous. We have these in abund-
ance. But the moral conditions and
tendencies have superlatively i'm
portant place. The negro problem,
the mortgage system and lien law,
the treatment of our criminal classes,
the prevalence Of mob law aid
crimes thus committed and winked
at, were discussed as the factors that
are moulding public opinion and
feeling and dem oralizing the public
conscience and heart and life, whilst
justice, honesty, purity and human
ity are ignored These are the dan
gers that imperil the Moral Side
of the New South" etc. Both ad-
dresses we're able and important in
their line of reasoning. All the
services are opened with prayer and
closed with benedictiOn by the
venerable chancellor.
On Wednesday forenoon the de-
gree orations were, viz:
VIM. M. Anderson, Trenton, Tenn,
1.-THE Goal of Nations"
D. j. Brimm, Birmingham, Ala,
"Vox Populi, Vox De-"
W. F. Dowd, Aberdeen, Miss,
Physical Culture a Necessary Part
of Complete Education"
w. i, Frierson, Shelbyyille, Tenn,
1.-THE Nature of Science"
IL. M. johnson, (excused) Cold
water, Miss, "a Plea for Science"
G. W. Patterson, Baton Rouge.